Terror on the Border

This Friday (April 20, 2012), the PBS affiliate in San Diego will air the latest episode of “Need to Know” featuring a report on the 2010 homicide of Anastacio Hernandez Rojas. The story will present never-before-seen video suggesting what many have been alleging for years–that the US Border Patrol has been using excessive force in the performance of their duties.

Rojas died only days after being beaten and tased by Border Patrol agents, which initially caused his heart to stop. Official reports attributed the use of a taser to his being combative. In video evidence received by PBS, Rojas appears to be completely subdued, handcuffed, and on the floor when an agent uses the taser against him. At the same time, he is surrounded by about a dozen other agents, who stand there watching what turned out to be the event leading to his death.